Strand tensioning device



y 8, 1953 R. D. HEFFELFINGER 2,646,942 STRAND 'ITENSIONING DEVICE Filed July 5, 1952 INVENTOR. ROBE/775D. HEFFELF/NGER A ORAI EZ- Patented July 28, 1953 STRAND TENSIONING DEVICE Robert D. Heflelfinger, Lansdowne, Pa., assignor to American Viscose Corporation, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Delaware Application July 5, 1952, Serial No. 297,299

8 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to a novel and improved strand tensioning device and more particularly to a novel and improved self-threading, self-cleaning tensioning device for a continuously moving filamentary material or the like.

In the textile art the various filamentary processing operations oftentimes require the application of controlled amounts of tension upon a continuously traveling yarn or strand. Thus, for example, in the preparation of a warp beam or the like, tension is applied to each of the component strands or ends of the warp between its associated creel package and the beaming apparatus to facilitate maintenance of the parallel arrangement or array of the warp. Similarly for various other purposes, many filamentary processing operations require the application of a suitable amount of tension upon the continuously traveling yarn.

Although various types of tensioning devices have been employed in the past, considerable difficulty has been experienced in minimizing the collection of lint and other foreign matter adjacent the opposed strand engaging and tensioning surfaces of the same. Moreover much difficulty has been experienced in the past in threading tensioning devices which have heretofore been conventionally employed in the art.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved strand tensioning device wherein the collection of lint and other foreign matter between the opposed tensioning surfaces is effectively minimized.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved strand tensioning device which is easily and readily laced or threaded.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description.

In the drawing which is illustrative of the invention,

Figure 1 is a fragmentary elevational view of a creel with which the novel and improved tensioning device of the present invention might be I employed;

Figure 2 is a transverse section of my improved tensioning device as seen at line II-II of Figure 3; and

Figure 3 is a top view of the tensioning device shown in Figure 1.

In general the improved tensioning devices of the present invention comprises a body member with a cavity formed therein, a tensioning member rotatably positioned on the peripheral surface of the cavity and a strand accommodating passage or channel extending from a point on the periphery of the cavity through the body member such that a continuously advancing strand in passing from the passage between the opposed surfaces of the cavity and the tensioning member causes rotation thereof. It has been found that a tensioning device which is designed in such a manner exhibits improved self-cleaning properties during the lacing operation as well as during the normal strand-tensioning operation. Moreover, it has been found that due to its continuous rotation in the cavity of the body member the strand tensioning member of the present invention wears with greater uniformity than the strand engaging members which have been employed in the past.

A preferred embodiment of the improved tensioning device of the present invention as it might be employed to control the delivery of a given strand or end of yarn from a conventional creel package is shown in Figure 1 of the drawing. As illustrated therein, the strand or end 3 progresses upwardly from its associated creel package 4 through the tensioning device, which is generally designated by the reference character 5, toward any suitable warp beaming apparatus or the like not shown on th drawing.

The creel frame, a portion of which is shown in Figure 1 of the drawing, preferably includes the tubular rod or post 6, which is maintained generally in an upright position by the base member 1, and the horizontally disposed bracket members 8 which are adjustably secured to the post 6 by the set screws 9. The turntable members [0 which pivotably support the yarn package holders and the associated yarn packages t at opposite ends thereof are themselves pivotally mounted upon the vertically disposed pin members l3 which extend upwardly from the extremities cf the bracket member 8.

The interior of the tubular rod or post 6 is preferably connected by means of the pipe or conduit M to any suitable pressurized source of gas [2 such as air or the like. The horizontally disposed pipes or tubing l5, one of which is suitably positioned above each of the turntable members 10 are also connected with the interior of the rod or post 6 through the associated valve [6. In this way, when it is so desired, controlled amounts of pressurized gas may be delivered to the tensioning devices which are secured to the extremity of each pipe or tubing l5 in a manner which is disclosed more fully hereinafter.

The eyeboard l6a or any other suitable type of strand guide is preferably supported in any conventional manner on the creel frame and as will be explained more fully hereinafter is positioned in a particular manner with respect to the tensioning device 5.

A preferred embodiment of the improved tensioning device of the present invention is shown in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawing. As illustrated therein, the body member I? of the tensioning device is preferably threadedly supported on the end of the pressurized gas supply pipe or tubing [5. The cavity or the like I 8 formed in the body member I! is contoured curvilinearly and preferably frusto-conically as shown so as to rotatably support the complementary frusto-conical member 9 therein. As will be more apparent hereinafter the aperture l8a positioned at the bottom of the cavity is preferably provided to permit the lint and other foreign matter to be discharged therethrough. The tubular extension as of the tensioning member i9 is adapted to receive one extremity of the M-shaped guide member 2i such that, as will be more apparent hereinafter, the tensioning member may not become dislodged from the cavity during the threading or lacing operation. The opposite extremity of the guide member 2| is preferably secured to the collar member or the like 22 which is positioned on the pipe or tubing H in any convenient and conventional manner. As will be more apparent hereinafter, the centrally apertured weight members 23 or the like are adapted to be transferred to or removed from the seating surface 2 5 of the tensioning member it so as to vary the degree of tension which is placed upon the continuously moving strand as it passes between the opposed surfaces of the cavity l8 and the tensioning member H3.

The channel or passage 25 extends preferably from a lower portion of the cavity downwardly through the outer surface of the body member and preferably as shown in Figure 2 of the drawing, it extends in substantially a tangential manner from the lateral surface of the cavity or in a direction which is suitably inclined to the normal thereto at its point of junction with the channel. In this way, the delivery of air 01' the like through the channel 25 during the threading operation as well as the normal passage of the strand therethrough toward the eyeboard 16a which is positioned such that the strand necessarily passes about a peripheral portion of the tensioning member l9 causes the tensioning member to rotate in the cavity and thereby minimize the collection of lint and other foreign matter therebetween.

The lower portion of the passage or channel 25 preferably flares outwardly as at 26 and is suitably threaded at its extremity to engage the complementary threads of the centrally apertured cap or plug 21 through which the strand 3 passes upwardly from its package 4 toward the opposed surfaces of the cavity I8 and the tensioning member I9.

The upper portion of the plug 27 and the adjacen't flared portion of the passage 25 are preferably contoured to provide therebetween the annular region 28 to which the pressure supply of air or the like in the pipe is delivered through the connecting passageway 29. As will be explained more fully hereinafter, in order to properly thread the tensioning device of the present invention, the passageway 29 is adapted to join the annular region 28 adjacent a lower portion thereof as shown such that the supply of air or the like delivered thereto is directed upwardly past the centrally located aperture in the plug 2'! and through the passage 25.

In operation, the strand 3 which is to be tensioned in accordance with the present invention normally progresses upwardly from the yarn storage package 4 through the centrally located aperture in the plug 2?, through the passage or channel 25 in the body member of the tensioning device, between the contiguous curvilinear surfaces of the cavity i8 and the tensioning member [9 through the eyeboard Mia and toward any suitable subsequent handling or treating apparatus not shown on the drawing. Thus as the strand contacts the peripheral surface of the tensioning member It and passes about a peripheral portion thereof toward the eyeboard 16, a suitable amount of torque is developed which causes the same to turn slowly in the cavity I8 whereby undue collection of lint and other foreign matter between the discs is eifectively prevented and wear on the tensioning member and the surface of the cavity is uniformly distributed. By varying the number of the weighted members 23 on the seating surface at, predetermined amounts of tension are readily applied to the continuously moving strand as it passes between the disc members.

When it is desired to thread the tensioning devices of the present invention, it is merely necessary to insert an end of the strand 3 into the centrally located aperture in the plug 2'. and to open the valve It in the pipe l5. As the blast of air rushes upwardly from the annular region 28 through the chamber 25, the strand is drawn upwardly through the aperture in the plug 21 by the aspirator or suction eifect and is thereafter carried upwardly with the air blast through the chamber 25 and out from the cavity is in the body member. Thereafter the strand may be properly delivered to the subsequent handling or processing apparatus in any convenient manner.

It is to be pointed out that each blast of air or the like which is supplied to the device also tends to lift and turn or rotate the tensioning member IS in the cavity l8 and thereby further insures removal of lint and other foreign matter from between the disc members.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, the description is intended to be illustrative only and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A strand tensioning device comprising a body member with a 'frusto-conical cavity formed therein; a frusto-conical tensioning member rotatably positioned on the peripheral surface of the cavity; and a strand accommodating passage in the body member extending from the exterior thereof to a point on the cavity, the passage being oriented angularly with the normal to its junction on the curvilinear surface of the cavity.

2. A strand tensioning device comprising a body member with a curvilinear cavity formed therein; a complementary tensioning member rotatably positioned in the cavity; means for varying the effective weight of the tensioning member; and a strand accommodating passage in the body member extending from the exterior thereof to a point on the cavity, the passage being oriented angularly with the normal to its point of juncture with the cavity.

3-. A strand tensioning device comprising a body member with a curvilinear cavity formed therein; a complementary tensioning member rotatably positioned in the cavity; means for preventing ejection of the tensioning member from its cavity; means for varying the effective weight of the tensioning member; and a strand accommodating passage in the body member extending from the exterior thereof to a point on the cavity, the passage being oriented angularly with the normal to its point of juncture with the cavity.

4. A strand tensioning device comprising a body member with a curvilinear cavity formed therein; a complementary tensioning member rotatably positioned in the cavity; a tubular extension on the exposed surface of the tensioning member; a plurality of annular weighted members which are adapted to be transferred to and removed from the tubular extension of the body member; and a strand accommodating passage in the body member extending from the exterior thereof to a point on the cavity, the passage being oriented angularly with the normal to its point of juncture with the cavity.

5. A strand tensioning device comprising a source of a pressurized gaseous medium; a body member with a curvilinear cavity formed therein; a supply conduit for the gaseous medium which extends between its source and the body member; means for controlling the delivery of the gaseous medium through the supply conduit; 2. curvilinear tensioning member rotatably positioned in the cavity; a strand accommodating passage in the body member extending from the exterior thereof to a point on the cavity, the passage being oriented angularly with the normal to its point of juncture with the cavity; and means connecting the supply conduit with the strand accommodating passage.

6. A strand tensioning device comprising a source of a pressurized gaseous medium; a body member with a curvilinear cavity formed therein; a supply conduit for the gaseous medium which extends between its source and the body member; means for controlling the delivery of the gaseous medium through the supply conduit; a curvilinear tensioning member rotatably positioned in the cavity; means for varying the effective weight of the tensioning member; a strand accommodating passage in the body member extending from the exterior thereof to a point on the cavity, the passage being oriented angularly with the normal to its point of juncture with the cavity; and means connecting the supply conduit with the strand accommodating passage.

7. A strand tensioning device comprising a source of a pressurized gaseous medium; a body member with a curvilinear cavity formed therein; a supply conduit for the gaseous medium which extends between its source and the body member; means for controlling the delivery of the gaseous medium through the supply conduit; a curvilinear tensioning member rotatably positioned in the cavity; means for varying the eifective weight of the tensioning member; means for preventing ejection of the tensioning member from its cavity; a strand accommodating passage in the body member extending from the exterior thereof to a point on the cavity, the passage being oriented angularly with the normal to its point of juncture with the cavity; and means connecting the supply conduit with the strand accommodating passage.

8. A strand tensioning device comprising a source of a pressurized gaseous medium; a body member with a frusto-conical cavity formed therein; an aperture which extends from the bottom of the cavity downwardly through the body member; a supply conduit for the gaseous medium which extends between its source and the body member; a valve for controlling the delivery of the gaseous medium to the body member; a frusto-conical tensioning member rotatably positioned in the cavity; a tubular extension on the opposed surface of the tensioning member; an M-shaped guide member, its one extremity being positioned in the tubular extension; a plurality of annular weighted members which are supported on and about the resilient member and which are adapted to be transferred to the tubular extension of the tensioning member to vary its effective weight; a channel which extends substantially tangentially from a lower portion of the lateral periphery of the cavity outwardly through the body member, the outer portion of the channel being enlarged; a frustoconical centrally apertured plug which extends upwardly into the enlarged portion of the channel; and means for connecting the supply conduit for the gaseous medium with the enlarged portion of the channel adjacent the base of the frustoconical plug.

ROBERT D. HEFFEIFINGER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,040,185 Gerstberger Oct. 1, 1912 1,372,557 Sawtell Mar. 22, 1921 

